Taliban shooting victim Malala Yousafzai opens Birmingham library
A BRAVE teenage girl who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen after campaigning for women's rights has opened a library in Birmingham today.
Malala Yousafzai was flown to the UK for emergency treatment last October after being ambushed by armed attackers while walking to school in Pakistan.
The 16-year-old, who had campaigned for girls' education, was shot twice and was treated for her injuries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
The inspirational girl thanked the city for their support as she opened the £188 million Library of Birmingham and was applauded by a 1,000 strong crowd.
The schoolgirl said pens and books can be used as weapons to defeat terrorism and said she was now a honorary 'Brummie'.
She said: "It is an honour for me to be here in Birmingham, the beating heart of England.
"Birmingham is very special for me because it is here that I found myself alive, seven days after I was shot.
"It is now my second home, after my beloved Pakistan.
"The doctors and nurses of this town worked hard to help me recover.
"The teachers of this town strived to rehabilitate my educational career, and the great people of this city gave me great moral support."
Malala unveiled a silver plaque to mark the library's opening and told the crowds she had challenged herself to read thousands of books.
Malala, who surgeons said came within inches of death when a bullet grazed her brain, was also given a library card following her speech.
She said: "Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism.
"I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through educating not only our minds, but our hearts and our souls."
The teenager is also set to receive the International Children's Peace Prize later this week in recognition of her children's rights work.